E-Waste: A Story of Trashing, Trading, and Valuable Resources

Abstract

Electronic waste, or e-waste, is considered the most rapidly growing waste category, as electrical and electronic appliances continue to be essential tools of global information and communication societies. Recent literature on e-waste broaches the issue of e-waste both as hazardous waste and as so-called urban mines. End-of-life management of e-waste is more challenging than that of other waste due to the wide range of products that qualify as e-waste, their complex material composition, and their low collection and recycling rates. Collection of e-waste from consumers is difficult especially with regard to small appliances as these tend to be disposed of in solid waste containers or are stored by consu mers. The article also uncovers complex aspects within the discussion on international trade of e-waste: Developing countries are frequently referred to as the “e-waste dumpsites” of industrialized countries; on the other hand, inexpensive access to information and communication technologies is considered an important driver for development.